Recycling & Sanitation Commission

Recycling and Sanitation Commission Minutes of the Monthly Meeting March 17, 2021 (Via Zoom) Commission Members and Others in Attendance: Kathy Balderson Lisa Barrett (J and J Representative) Pete Bowlus J A Burke (Representative of Mount Airy Messenger) Mike Dixon Peggy Fleming Ken Humble Tom Neff (Chairman) Jason Poirier (Council Liaison) Mary VanMetre (Town Staff) 1. Commission Chair Tom Neff called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance 2. January 2021 minutes were approved with motion by Ken Humble; 2nd by Kathy Balderson; Motion carried 3. Citizen's Comments a. An email received from a resident requesting yard waste pickup be changed from Saturday to either Sunday or Monday. Lisa Barrett explained due to the volume of yard waste, the pickup is on Saturday, and not a normal trash pickup day. The company uses six trucks to pick up Mt. Airy's yard waste. b. Councilman Poirier noted he has seen trucks back up in his neighborhood and feels this is an unsafe practice. Children are back in school now. He asked if Lisa could please mention this to the drivers. 4. J and J Comments/Concerns a. Lisa Barrett reported they hope to be in the new building on Back Acre by end of May. b. Mike Dixon commented the building looks very good. 5. New Banner and Replacement Yard Signs a. Mary VanMetre will order replacement yard signs so there will be 20 for the Drug Take Back day and 20 for the Shred/Battery event. b. It was decided not to order a banner and use the Town's electronic signs. 6. Shred/Battery Event June 12, 2021 9 am to 12 pm a. Event will be at Watkins Park & Councilman Poirier will secure the Town's electronic signs and place them at North Main Street and near the Town sign near McDonalds b. Tom Neff suggested we contact the American Legion and have them partner their Electronic Recycling with the Shred/Battery event. He will make the contact. c. Masks must be worn and residents will be asked to remain in their cars. 7. Green Fair a. Sustainability Commission Chair, Mike Dixon reported due to the continuing COVID restrictions there will not be a Green Fair this year. 8. Drug Take Back Day - April 24, 2021 9 am to 1 pm a. MAPD reported they would be glad to participate in the Spring Drug Take Back Day b. Yard signs will be placed and one Town electronic sign will be available. c. Kathy Balderson, Pete Bowlus, and Peggy Fleming volunteered to work. 9. Spring Bulk Pickup May 1st a. Appliance Pick up - it was decided not to have J and J bring a dumpster for appliance drop off b. Residents may place the appliances on the curb and off duty J and J employees will do metal pickup c. If an appliance is missed, call J and J and they will have it picked up. d. Mary VanMetre will update the list for bulk pickup items to include appliances 10. Messenger Ads a. Councilman Poirier suggested placing the Yard Waste dates in a "clip able" format in the paper. 11. Budget Revision a. Mary VanMetre reported she had to add more money for tipping fees to the budget. Increase is due to the new houses in Brittany Manor which will total 72. b. Councilman Poirier questioned if the Town had enough recycling toters and Mary reported yes. However it leaves only a few for replacement toters. c. Councilman Poirier requested to wait until the next budget cycle to order additional toters. 12. Council Liaison Report a. Jason Poirier reported the Harrsion/Leishear property is back with the County and will be sold to a developer for residential. It will not be developed as industrial. b. Rails to Trails are expanding west of downtown. Town is purchasing land from CSX. c. Town elections are May 3 and will be paper ballots. Please vote! Note there are two candidates for mayor and four candidates for two council seats. d. Jason thought the Town would have some type of candidate forum - possibly face book live. e. 2023 master plan is being discussed. Please participate as it will impact all of us. f. Storm water project being done near the American Legion 13. Mike Dixon reported he has checked the dog park on Back Acre and there are now fresh baggies available. 14. Mary VanMetre reported she will be out of the office the month of April. She will be monitoring emails, but note there may be a delayed reply. 15. Meeting adjourned by Chair Tom Neff. 16. Next Regular Meeting – May 19, 2021 @ 7 p.m. SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS: • Chair Tom Neff to contact the following: Contact American Legion regarding Electronic Recycling. Tom did send email and the Legion Auxiliary responded their vendor won't be available until October for electronic recycling. • Mary VanMetre - order yard signs for Shred and Drug Take Back events • Jason Poirier - secure the Town electronic signs for Bulk Pickup, Drug Take Back and Shred/Battery event • Jason Poirier - Have yard waste dates placed in the Messenger in a format so the residents can clip and save the dates Peggy Fleming, Secretary